HI Bob, don't have this on my '97 but it may be just a "dummy" light at this point. Did you try resetting the comp to get rid of it and see if it stays off? Though if it was coming on intermittenly it sounds like there might be a problem with the sensor.

I had the same problem when I bought my taurus. Told the dealer to take a look and they found that the coolant level being higher than normal was causing the light to go off.
Try taking some water out of the reservoir and see what happens.

Coolant overflow tank on passenger side engine compartment easily comes out with the removal of one 10MM nut and one 10MM bolt. Remove the three hoses from the overflow tank and lift tank out easily. Don't pull to fast as you will need to disconnect the sensor attachment on the bottom of the overflow tank. If you have no leaks in your existing tank, flush out tank, carefully clean off leads from sensor at bottom of tank. Before reinstalling tank, shake the overflow tank. You should hear the float inside the tank moving up and down....,good sign. Now, just reattach the sensor attachment to bottom of tank, put tank in original position, re-connect hoses, and rebolt to frame. Fill overflow tank with new coolant to fill line and start vehicle. "Low Coolant" light should be gone. If not, head over to the dealer, pick up a new tank (sensor is included) and follow the directions above. Good luck.

Coolant overflow tank on passenger side engine compartment easily comes out with the removal of one 10MM nut and one 10MM bolt. Remove the three hoses from the overflow tank and lift tank out easily. Don't pull to fast as you will need to disconnect the sensor attachment on the bottom of the overflow tank. If you have no leaks in your existing tank, flush out tank, carefully clean off leads from sensor at bottom of tank. Before reinstalling tank, shake the overflow tank. You should hear the float inside the tank moving up and down....,good sign. Now, just reattach the sensor attachment to bottom of tank, put tank in original position, re-connect hoses, and rebolt to frame. Fill overflow tank with new coolant to fill line and start vehicle. "Low Coolant" light should be gone. If not, head over to the dealer, pick up a new tank (sensor is included) and follow the directions above. Good luck.

For the time you spend taking the tank out, there is no sense in just cleaning the tank, just replace it. They're not that expensive. My 2001 SEL's level switch started leaking causing the light to come on intermitently.

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